Just an odd question.

I am a little apprehensive about posting this and am afraid of the drama/bashing that may ensue but here it goes.

I have heard that drinking a beer can help increase milk supply. I have heard various reasons hops and or yeast in the beer. My lactation nurse while in the hospital told me that one beer would not hurt the child and that there would be no need to pump and dump if I only had one beer. I have tried this once and noticed a bit of a difference.

I guess my question is, has anyone else heard of this or tried this, and will one beer be an issue to my child. Please know that I am not saying for me to get tanked and then pump milk for my child I am really only interested because of being told it can increase my supply.

Re: Just an odd question.

You could always do nonalcoholic beer to ease your mind ...And yes, I've heard that before.

3/2011 {EBF to 6mos, now BF and BLS, CD, EC'ing since 5mos - in underwear at 11mos, and babywearing} Babywearing International has chapters - see if there's one near you... most have lending libraries!

Re: Just an odd question.

This link talks about breastfeeding and alcohol: http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/alcohol.html I am with the PP that if you are concerned about drinking and nursing, nonalcoholic beer will have the same or perhaps even a greater effect than regular beer does- I think the ingredient that's supposed to be good for milk supply is the hops in beer, not the alcohol.

And I think the longer you hang around the forum, the more you'll realize that it's a pretty drama-free zone. Or at least drama-lite. (Which would be a great name for a beer! )

Re: Just an odd question.

My mother was told that when she had my younger brother, and she seemed to be having supply problems. She did it...got those little ones, the 4 oz ones, and drank a beer every night, even though she hated it and doesn't drink. She said the problems went away, but whether or not it was a real or perceived problem, I don't know. He was fine.

Re: Just an odd question.

When my aunt gave birth to my cousin in Germany (my uncle was in the army) they gave her a beer in the hospital to help with milk production. I think there is some concern that alcohol can suppress milk supply so nonalcoholic beer may be the best choice.

And while there can be drama on the boards, drinking beer to increase milk production is not a drama inducing topic.

Re: Just an odd question.

I hear it's the hops in beer that helps. I have a friend who took tincture of hops to increase supply and found that it helped her a lot, and she could get a lot more that way than she would have through beer. That said, I took this as an excuse to have an occasional IPA (very bitter, very hoppy) while nursing.

You can call me JoMo!

Mom to baby boy Joe, born 5/4/09 and breastfed for more than two and a half years, and baby girl Maggie, born 7/9/12.